Sorus

ON ST. SORUS, HERMIT, AMONG THE PETROCORII IN GAUL.

SIXTH CENTURY.

Sorus, Hermit, among the Petrocorii in Gaul (St.)

I. B.

[1] The feast of St. Sorus is recorded on the Kalends of February in the Gallic Martyrology by Andrew Saussay as follows: "On the same day, at Limoges, the commemoration of St. Sorus, Confessor, feast of St. Sorus, illustrious for his admirable humility, continence, and other outstanding gifts of holy living." In the Breviary of Limoges, on this day the feast of St. Ignatius is prescribed, to be performed as in the Roman rite, semidouble, with ^a commemoration of St. Sorus.

[2] Life: The Life of this saint was sent to us from Paris by Andrew Chesne, Cosmographer of the most Christian King, copied from an ancient codex of the Thuan Library, bearing the title "Ecclesiastical History." Before the Preface this verse was inscribed:

"The Auvergne begot the one whom this present page reveals."

The author lived long after his death, when was it written? as is clear from the preface. "It is better, however, we judge, to say even meagerly what we know, than with those who, through so many periods of time already passed, have ceased to write the deeds of the blessed man," etc. And at number 16 he cites the "Deeds of the Franks." At number 9 he writes that he learned what he narrates from the report of his forebears. But at number 12 he seems to have had some other account of his deeds; for he says, "As is evident from his own deeds" -- which cannot be taken as referring to the deeds of St. Guntram, in which that is not found, unless there are some writings that have not yet seen the light.

[3] At what time he lived may be gathered from the age of St. Guntram and St. Aredius. his era: The latter died in the year of Christ 591, as is clear from St. Gregory of Tours, book 10, chapter 29. Guntram died two years later, 593, on March 28. In what year St. Sorus departed this life, we have nowhere found indicated.

LIFE BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR

From the MS. of the Thuan Library, extracted by Andrew Chesne.

Sorus, Hermit, among the Petrocorii in Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 7824

By an Anonymous Author. From MSS.

PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR.

It is well established that it was the custom of the ancients to commend the distinguished men of their own time to posterity through the monuments of their writings, and either to commit their memorable sayings or deeds to letters, or entrust them to painting, or at least to portray them in labored and handsome work of bronze or marble. They had this as their concern: that whatever came to their knowledge and was deemed worthy of being recorded for its usefulness, or was judged worthy of imitation, should be brought to the knowledge of their successors, so that they might appear neither ungrateful to their own time nor unhelpful to posterity. I marvel, therefore, why we pay so much attention to the vainly spent labor of our predecessors. Indeed, it is promised to us by the Savior that not even ^a cup of cold water given to ^a brother shall be lost. Matt. 10:42 Why do we commit the deeds of Christ's valiant soldiers to be buried in the prison of silence? Let us rather commit them, at least on cheap sheets of paper, to the present and succeeding age, as things that will be profitable, the Acts of the Saints should be written down, and let us set them down on pages with ^a modest style as best we can. There is added to this, by which we are also stirred in our spirit, lest with the sluggish servant we suffer the losses of punishment for the master's money we have retained. For the Lord has assigned to His Church one from among Christ's most valiant warriors, Sorus by name, whose illustrious life we undertake to begin, for the benefit of many. And although we are unequal to so great ^a work, the Author excuses his own insignificance, inasmuch as we have but very slight eloquence and very narrow supply of talent, yet we judge it better to say even meagerly what we know than, with those who through so many ages already past have ceased to record the deeds of the blessed man, to pay the penalties of tenacious mute silence in whatever way. And that this may be done, the Lord also grants the boldness to speak -- He who commands mouths to be opened and promises that they shall be filled by the grace of His Spirit so as not to remain tongueless. He Himself therefore must be prayed to by us, that He who was the helper of His servant in performing the good deeds He commanded may be our help in narrating those things which He mercifully wrought through His servant. Let these things, therefore, said as excusatory words, suffice. Now we must come to the narrative, since it is very foolish to overflow in the preface and be terse in the history itself.

CHAPTER I

The Birth of St. Sorus. His Flight from the World.

[2] This holy man Sorus, therefore, was born in the territory of Auvergne, of parents not of the lowest rank according to the dignity of the world, yet devoted to the Divine laws and the orthodox faith, and so was raised. The Lord deigned to confer upon them so great ^a gift of grace that among the chief of their kindred they might beget offspring dedicated to God and consecrated to Almighty God from the breast. Sorus, ^a devout youth: Born, therefore, Blessed Sorus was instructed in the Christian law, nurtured in the Catholic faith, and passed the age of infancy with diligence. Thereupon, entering the years of adolescence and wholly converted in ^a wondrous manner to God's work, he was already meditating in his youthful age what he afterward devoutly fulfilled. Striving therefore to let no stains darken his heart, being now no slow or deaf hearer of the Gospel, an executor of the Divine commandment -- "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" -- so that he might be able to say with the Apostle Peter to the Lord: "Behold, we have left all things and have followed You"; as soon as he enjoyed his free age, quicker than words he set forth, and breaking delays, having joined to himself two fellow soldiers -- companions of the same way and the same love -- Amandus and Cyprianus, leaving his homeland and parents, departing from the soil of Auvergne, as an executor of the Lord's edict: "Leave all that you have," He says, "and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." with two companions he goes into the desert: They entered the district of Perigord and with one mind and equal consent undertook to lead the eremitical life. Matt. 16:24 and 19:27; Mark 10:21

[3] Having dwelt together, therefore, for some time -- as the reputation of such men tends to spread -- they instruct those who flock to them: very many began to flock together to the fame of the Saints, some for the sake of imitation, others of hearing and equally seeing what was being done. But these men, by no means forgetful of their earlier purpose, while for some time they endured the weariness of those flocking together from all sides, complained to one another about what they were inwardly ruminating with the tooth of discretion: that they had abandoned their own possessions in vain if they were to be entangled in such affairs, and, plowing the land with backward steps, were to fix in the cultivated ground the tracks of young oxen going in reverse. They therefore chastised the senses of the body from sinister affections and strove to adorn the mind with the performance of sacred acts. they live holily: It was their study and their work to make themselves conspicuous and to convict of falsehood those who spoke otherwise. And there was in their works the admiration of beholders, and in their speech the delight of hearers. For chastity made them flourishing, faith made them unconquered, purity of mind made them simple, and splendor of life made them praiseworthy. And theirs was ^a humility not merely in the manner of words or garb, but all their action was so seasoned that whoever looked upon them would think them painted by ^a spiritual pen with Divine power.

[4] Meanwhile the most devout servants of Christ, burning with excessive love for the Lord, and seeing that their desire was not sufficiently being fulfilled in this way, judged that ^a more remote habitation must be sought. It was not ^a fluctuating fickleness that urged them to this, but the generous will of the Lord and an insatiable pious desire to please Christ. they withdraw further: And so Blessed Sorus, seeing the anxiety of those assembling there, knowing that in the tumult of men it often happens that the assembly of Angels is lacking, and spurred by an immense desire for the anchoretic life, summoned his companions as quickly as possible, and addressing them, disclosed the desire conceived in his mind, and at the same time exhorted each one to live henceforth individually as anchorites. to live separately: Without delay, more quickly animated than the word was spoken, Blessed Amandus, Cyprianus, and holy Sorus set out on the journey, wherever the mercy of the Lord might lead their will.

[5] While they refreshed their devout hearts with holy conversation, as they went along they came to ^a certain place called -- while his companions sleep, to use ^a word, as I may say, that is somewhat less than proper Latin, since it is necessary -- "Standing-Stones" (Petras-erectas); and there, fixing their step, they paused for ^a little while. And quickly, compelled as much by weariness as by God's disposition, the companions fell into ^a deep sleep. But the blessed man Sorus, when he perceived that they had fallen asleep, stirred himself and set out, and wandering here and there, he began carefully to search about, looking for ^a place suitable for himself. And suddenly, while he was curiously roaming through each place amid the shadows of the woods and exploring the most hidden lairs of wild beasts, ^a most suitable place presented itself to his sight; Sorus espies ^a remote crag: ^a place so secluded and so well-suited offered itself to the holy man that no mortal had previously come there for the purpose of dwelling or even of turning aside. This place, as is clearly evident, had been destined for him by God's will. For ^a rock, projecting from above, provided shelter; beside it ^a spring, disgorging ^a rivulet from its living vein, partly irrigated the pleasant features of that place, while the river Vezere had cleared the remaining level ground from its sufficiently wavy bosom. When the blessed man saw these things, suffused with inestimable joy, he immediately prostrated himself on the ground and gave thanks to the Lord's mercy, as to One who had prepared these things for him, beseeching with all his might that He who had prepared the place would also allow him to perform the fruits of heavenly labor there. And quickly, with hurried step, he returned to his companions, and found them so weary with sleep that none of them in any way knew either when the man of God had departed or when he had returned. And then, wishing with the utmost concealment to remain hidden from them, he withdrew to the side and rested ^a little.

[6] When, therefore, ^a space of nearly two hours had passed, as the drowsy sleep departed, they quickly awoke, their eyelids opening. And having taken counsel, exhorting each other amid sweet conversations about the heavenly homeland, for ^a long time and much, amid sweet tears and bitter sighs -- since, having struggled long with each other, they could not be torn apart by the intervening bonds of charity and the overwhelming embraces of love to be separated from each other: (for they were of one spirit and one heart in the Lord) -- at length the blessed man, of deeper intelligence, fearing lest in those very bonds of love the hostile fraud might work something of its own -- namely, that if they delayed longer together, the endeavors long since conceived would be impeded -- and because his spirit was already burning to revisit what he had seen and not to abandon what he had begun, he said to the Brothers: "O you who are dearest to me and to be preferred to all mortals, let us more quickly, I beg, carry out what we have long conceived in mind, lest while we dwell together we fall under the Apostle's saying: 'The impediments of the world have made them wretched.' Rather, already well instructed in labor and toil, let us set out from the brotherly battle-line, and with hand or arm alone, against the powers of the air, like athletic champions, a piece of bacon is offered as ^a keepsake: anointed with the oil of paternal tradition, let us now fearlessly engage. And since those whom charity joins, distance of lands does not separate, that the charity of love, according to the Apostle, may always remain in us, let us likewise take something of ^a blessing for the sweetness of that charity." Heb. 13:1 But since neither bread was at hand nor anything else from which this could be done, Blessed Sorus, looking into the distance, unexpectedly found ^a small piece of pork fat, commonly called bacon. Dividing it into portions, he enclosed individual sacred morsels for each as ^a blessing in their fists.

[7] These were the days of holy Lent. This accomplished, they immediately parted from one another, and one of the followers [to one who, out of contempt for charity, refused to eat it during the fast, it is turned into ^a serpent;] who had assembled there at that time, as if out of reverence for the sacred days, while he indiscreetly weighed the force of unconquerable charity, secretly snatched away in his bosom the portion he had received from the Saint to be consumed; and it was immediately turned into ^a serpent and encircled his whole body with the coils of its windings. Holy Sorus had already by chance departed and, intending to return step by step to the cave discovered shortly before, had set forth as his companions were departing. And behold, the wretched man, terrified, running after the Saint, cries out behind him that he is being afflicted with the fitting punishments of disobedience and of charity not observed. The blessed man, taking pity on him, paused his step ^a little and waited for the wretch. And the man, prostrate, threw himself entirely on the ground, confessing the negligence of his own shamelessness, and greatly lamenting, begged to obtain pardon and life -- he upon whom death was pressing close. But the Saint, immediately making the sign of the Cross, drove out the enemy of the human race who, through the brother's disobedience, had entered its friendly beast -- as once in the first parent -- using the example of the Lord Savior, but Sorus restores it to its former form, and converted it back into its original blessing, the curse having been put to flight. And he admonished the brother that charity must always be held and always preserved, because this is what covers ^a multitude of sins. The serpent having therefore been put to flight, the holy man blessed the offering, restored to its former state, and handed it to him to be consumed. Having consumed it and given innumerable thanks, the brother who had come departed.

CHAPTER II

The Solitary Life of St. Sorus. His Trust in God.

[8] The holy man of God went deeper into the vastly stretching solitudes, and in the place already described, he committed himself to ^a very narrow cave; and there, continuing day and night, so that he might say with the Psalmist, "I have become like ^a solitary sparrow on ^a rooftop," he lived for nearly forty years ^a life wondrous and worthy of imitation, he lives austerely, for whom to live was nothing other than Christ, and to die was gain. Ps. 101:8 His face was pale from fasting, and his mind meditated on heavenly things more keenly, knowing that prayer is good with fasting. And his life became ^a mirror for those wishing to imitate it and something eagerly desired by all who heard of it; and -- what is difficult -- he spoke both easily and purely. His food was scanty bread and ^a little water, so that his voice might sing in harmony with the Psalmist who says: "I mingled my drink with weeping." Ps. 101:10 And with Ezekiel: "I ate my bread in haste and drank my water in distress." Ezek. 12:18 He worked only enough to have ^a bare livelihood, working with his hands, knowing that he who does not work should not eat. And with his work he devoted himself to prayer, so that his life might agree with Scripture which says: "Lift up your hearts with your hands to God." And with Job: "I shall pray to the Lord, and to God I shall address my speech, who does great things and unsearchable, and wonders without number." Lam. 3:41; Job 5:8 At first he built himself ^a cell of pliant wicker, lest he suffer the onslaught of wild beasts that met him -- which flocked there in great abundance -- so that it could be said of him: "For the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you." Job 5:23 But afterward, when he could no longer lie hidden, and his fame was spreading in every direction, fearing the gathering of people flocking together, in ^a narrow cave, he built for himself, deeper within, amid the crevices of the rock, ^a shelter in the form of ^a small vault, in which he could not stand except bent over. In this he also fashioned ^a seat in the likeness of ^a low stool, and around the area of his head he drove in nails, aptly overcoming drowsiness: so that if at any time, compelled by weariness, sleep should steal upon him while sitting, his head drooping in any direction would strike against them, and he would be more quickly roused from sleep and would flee to the familiar defenses of prayer, lest he be deceived by any snares of the enemy. He had also made ^a little door before the cave, which was never open to anyone except when he went out at night for the sake of prayer. Beside it he fashioned ^a very small opening in the manner of ^a window, set at an angle.

[9] When, moreover, very many hastened to receive his instruction, he instructs the crowds: he was cautious and turned over many things within himself: whether it was better to lead only his accustomed solitary life, or to offer the nourishment of the word to those flocking from all sides, so that what he had long practiced alone might serve the advancement of many. Before his very cell he placed an altar, and appointed there ^a Priest of the sacred Order, so that with the people who came receiving both the discourse of the sacred word and the celebration of the divine mystery, the blessed man might, as it were, bring back ^a doubled profit from his enterprise. As we have learned from the report of our forebears, he himself was accustomed to present through the window he had inserted in the cell -- which we have described -- to the Priest celebrating the sacred mysteries, whatever had been given to him as an offering by various people. he admits disciples: Whence, because it was necessary, the holy man had servants for suitable purposes, of whom one was called Principius and the other Bonitus; who, as is the custom of all the living, sought food and clothing in abundance.

[10] It happened, therefore, that the Sunday of holy Lent was at hand, when -- since that day is more troublesome than other days in terms of food and drink for all -- the servants of the man of God began to complain bitterly among themselves that nothing remained from which to spend that day more pleasantly and healthfully, being anxious about food, while all in the surrounding area were preparing what was suitable for eating. But the blessed man gently restrained them and, as always, instructed them with admonitions of charity and faith, and earnestly warned them to stand firm in hope: "Mighty is the hand of the Lord," he said, "little children, to provide food for His servants even in this wilderness where we dwell -- He who refreshed five thousand men in ^a desert region with ^a few loaves. Do you not remember what the Psalmist says about the murmuring of the people complaining in the desert for want of meat? Ps. 77:30 'While their food was still in their mouths, the wrath of God rose upon them.' And the Apostle says: 'Do not murmur, as some of them murmured, and perished by serpents.'" 1 Cor. 10:10 Refreshing them with these and similar wholesome words, he teaches confidence, he himself devoted himself to prayer, trusting in the abundant mercy of God who says: "If you have faith as ^a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence,' and it shall be done." Matt. 17:19 And behold, immediately, while the Saint was intent upon prayer, ^a stag of wondrous size emerged from the thicket, and leaping from the brow of the mountain, crashed down before the Blessed one's cell with its mighty neck broken, and rendered lifeless, it did not even utter ^a bellow. Forthwith the Saint's servant ran swiftly and reported to the Father the gift bestowed by God, and asked what should be done with it. a stag obtained by prayer: Then the Saint, turning his whole mind to the Lord, redoubled his praises to Him who never forsakes those who hope in Him; and at the same time rebuking his servants, he told them that henceforth they must rely on faith, and that in prosperity and adversity God is always present to those who trust in Him. Calling therefore one of his butchers, he ordered the skin to be carefully removed from the beast with its skin he is clothed: and prepared for his use as clothing, taking it as ^a memorial, so that he himself might extol the faithful Rewarder with praises and might strengthen the minds of beholders with the fullest faith, so that the torpor of distrust might never again take hold of their hearts. He used this garment as long as he remained in the body. under which also ^a chain: Under it he also placed ^a chain from his neck to his chest, so that it would neither be visible to the eyes of onlookers, nor would the holy consciousness of what was hidden within be lost. Thereafter he distributed the meat of the aforesaid beast in portions to orphans and widows, retaining for his own people as much as was necessary for the day's sustenance.

CHAPTER III

King Guntram, Cleansed of Leprosy Through St. Sorus.

[11] As the holy man grew ever greater in virtues, his fame began to be spread far and wide. For he began to shine forth with the greatest signs, he becomes famous for miracles, restoring sight to the blind, granting hearing to the deaf, giving back speech to the mute, and providing the remedies of medicine to all the ailing who came to him. And because time does not permit, and we wish to avoid the weariness of readers as well as hearers, let us briefly touch upon ^a few things from the many. Meanwhile, while the holy man persevered in prayers, fasts, and vigils, the Lord continued to be glorified in His Saint, and did not suffer so great ^a lamp of brightness to be hidden under ^a bushel, which He had decreed to set upon the candlestick of Holy Church.

[12] Therefore, as is evident from his deeds, this Blessed one existed in the times of Guntram, the once most powerful and most holy King; who, devoted to holy works -- as was made clear at the end -- although infected with some blemish, deserved to be cleansed, having been struck by the disease of leprosy. Guntram the King, ^a leper, visits him at an Angel's admonition: When he had labored long with this affliction, as we have said, he was admonished by an Angel in ^a sleep of the night to seek out the Blessed Sorus, who was dwelling in the territory of the Aquitanians, in the district of Perigord, and that this man would be the author of his healing; that to him had been granted by God the restoration of the King's former health of mind and body; and that no hope of salvation remained for him unless he hastened as quickly as possible to the man of God. The King, made anxious by this admonition and exceedingly desirous of recovering his health, ordered preparations to be made quickly so that he might carry out the business speedily. And, as was fitting for ^a royal retinue, the things suitable for so great ^a journey were prepared, so that ^a copious supply and one befitting royal sufficiency might not be lacking,

and that what he would bring to the man of God as ^a gift should be abundant in every respect. And so, having traversed so great ^a stretch of lands, they arrived at ^a place called Uriacum, situated nearly two miles from the blessed man's cell. Then, raising his eyelids and turning his eyes into the distance, wholly exulting with joy, he crawls for two miles: he raised up the jubilation of his mind. For, leaping down from his foaming and, so to speak, gilded horse, urged by excitement, he lay prostrate on the ground; and crawling on his palms and knees, he came all the way to the cave of the blessed man -- not so much bowing down as devout and credulous with excessive hope. These are Your miracles, O Christ, the works of Your magnificence -- You for whom everything that is brutish has meaning, for whom everything that rages is gentle. For behold, ^a most powerful King, long dreaded, whose illustrious Dukes and Tyrants sprung from proud blood were accustomed to lick his footsteps with the joy of fear -- he lies humbly at the doors of Your Poor One, to whom it was common with wild beasts both the gravity of dwelling and the simplicity of diet, removed far from all mortals, in inverted order, and begs to be blessed by one whom up to that point in all his life he had not known even by name. To You be praise, to You be thanksgiving, who set the humble on high and raise up the sorrowful with health -- who lift the needy from the dust and raise the poor from the dung.

[13] Therefore, as I had begun to say, the King lay on the ground and with all his might cried out with his fellow David: "My soul has cleaved to the pavement; give me life according to Your word." Ps. 118:25 The holy man ordered the King to rise quickly and inquired about the cause of so great ^a journey and so great ^a labor -- though he knew it well -- and asked who had directed him to that humble cave. The King gave his answer, reported the angelic admonition; said that it had been no light matter that led him to come; that he was seen to be worn out by the weight of so great ^a disease; and that there was no need to ask what he sought or what he requested. Immediately therefore the holy man, whose foundation of faith was most solid upon the rock, washed with holy water, he is healed, ordered water to be brought. Having exorcised it, he ordered the King to be sprinkled. And -- O wondrous power! -- like another Elisha who sprinkled Naaman the Syrian with the water of the Jordan, he instantly restored the King of the Franks to health. The King, therefore, looking at all the blemishes of his body, found them so healed that no trace of any scar at all remained, and the grace, as it were, of ^a seven-year-old boy appeared in all his limbs. Thereupon, for ^a long time and with great feeling, they poured forth praises of Almighty God and of His servant Sorus, and extolled with praises the gift of their bestower and rewarder.

[14] Then the man of God, summoning his steward, ordered that ^a royal banquet be prepared quickly. It was the season when early grapes are customarily eaten. The servant declared that no wine at all could be found, nor could any grapes be found in the surrounding vineyards from which any amount of that liquid could be pressed. Then the Saint, as he always overflowed with trust in the Lord, directing his suppliant eyes to the sight of heaven, said: "Come now, come -- is the hand of the Lord too weak? Go quickly, and from that little vine which you know, bring at once three swelling clusters which you will find hanging from the branch." The servant obeyed his master's commands, and with hurried step brought what he had been ordered, and handed over to the Father those three jewel-like clusters. [St. Sorus obtains by divine power that three clusters fill three vessels with wine:] But the Saint, conceiving the Holy Spirit with his whole mind, said: "Come, come -- is the hand of the Lord too weak? Go therefore, steward, and carefully sweep clean the entire storeroom with ^a broom, and most carefully prepare those three vats which the country people call 'tonns.'" He did as he was commanded, and swiftly returning to the Father, reported that everything had been carefully completed. "Take," said the Saint, "these three clusters which the mercy of the Lord has produced on the vine, and press out their juice into the vats you have prepared. For He will be present, I believe -- He who at Cana of Galilee commanded the clearest water to be poured as wine." And immediately, obeying the Saint's commands, the servant carried out what he had ordered; the overflowing liquid suddenly filled the cellars. The servant reported the accomplished work; immediately there arose extraordinary joy; the favor of the Saint was raised up with the praises of God.

[15] Then, when ^a banquet had been carefully given, the King lingered there for some time, and having surveyed the boundaries of that place all around, humbly begged the Saint that, if it were possible, ^a hospice for the servants of God might be built there. To this the holy man most willingly gave his assent, he builds ^a hospice at the King's expense, and with the King providing copious funds, holy Sorus seized upon the work with haste, completed it with diligence, gathered together ^a School of the Lord to serve as soldiers perpetually, and consecrated ^a church in honor of the holy Martyr Julian. The aforesaid King, therefore, having amply assigned land revenues for the support of the servants of God and having been formed by the blessings of the servant of God, returned to his own domains with great joy. The blessed man, bound by the many entreaties of the King that he himself should preside over that place in person, since he could in no way be forced from his beloved cell, at last yielded, conquered by the King's words, and presides over it: reflecting that in such matters the accumulation of reward is much more increased, and especially intending profit for the Lord's servant by augmenting gain, as He says: "Well done, good and faithful servant; because you were faithful over ^a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your Lord." Matt. 25:21 and 23 With ^a willing mind, attentive to his entreaties, he yielded. His bodily presence drew very many with him along the way of God.

[16] The aforesaid King Guntram, moreover, as is clearly evident from the Deeds of the Franks, living an outstanding life thereafter, made himself ^a figure of expectation for souls desiring Christ; and among the marks of his good deeds, having discovered by God's will ^a copious treasure (the manner of which it is not our business to unfold at this time -- the monastery of St. Marcellus the Martyr, built by Guntram: we commit it to Blessed Paulinus to narrate), in the city of Chalon-sur-Saone he built ^a mausoleum of the holy Martyr Marcellus in richly decorated work, with gold and gems in ^a wondrous design. In which place he himself was afterward buried, famous for great merits; and, as is recounted from his deeds, the strong and happy King flourishes in glory.

CHAPTER IV.

Other Miracles of St. Sorus. His Death.

[17] The holy man of God, Sorus, eager to increase the purpose of his blessed mind, while one day, as he was engaged in prayer, he happened to lift his eyes outward, beheld ^a woman washing herself in the river Vezere quite openly and without any shame, nor blushing at her own nakedness. At this the holy man was more than sufficiently embarrassed, and resolved in his mind St. Sorus flees the sight of women: that henceforth in this world he would not look upon ^a woman. Eagerly taking care, with that prophetic warning: "Death has entered through our windows, has entered our houses, has slain our little ones." Jer. 9:21 For the windows of our body are our eyes and ears, through which by sight and hearing we draw in what we desire. But let us return to the narrative. Let this be said in brief, lest anyone reading these things should perhaps think this is an ill-considered addition of an example.

[18] The holy man, therefore, placing his purpose in his vow, did not abandon the resolution of continence. On account of which it came about that, with pious solicitude, he resisted with all his might his blessed mother's desire to visit him, and thus denied the grace of seeing him to all. even his mother's: His mother, about to depart and grieving greatly and wailing, as if employing ^a prophetic word, said: "Here, my son, I was not able to see you; I shall see you without doubt in that mercy, when together with you I shall receive the rewards promised for righteous labors." And so, having uttered ^a brief saying, she departed. Nor is there any doubt that her word, worthy of faith, obtained its effect. She spoke and departed. Yet we ought to believe that so great ^a saying of faith did not pass away in vain.

[19] As the blessed man grew ever more brilliant in virtues, Blessed Aredius, who was at that time an Abbot and devoted to the pursuit of true wisdom, providing the observance of the sacred rule to his communities of monks in the monastery of Attanum, which he had built on his own property, heard that the blessed man Sorus, having built ^a monastery, was devoting himself with his monks to Almighty God. he receives gifts from St. Aredius the Abbot: He wrote ^a letter to St. Sorus filled with consolatory words, and sent him as an aid for the building ^a door fitted with horn-work, and young pigeons as ^a consolation, and other domestic birds which we commonly call jackdaws; with many admonitions to persist in divine matters and to beware of the snares of the deceitful enemy. Blessed Sorus received these things with joy and rendered very many thanks for the generosity of the gifts.

[20] In the meantime, since the discourse of our insignificance, now weary, demands an end, we think it proper to reveal, for the encouragement of readers' minds, by one single example how great ^a power the holy man possessed even in lighter matters. A certain woman living nearby was accustomed to sweep the portico before the Saint's little door; to whom the man of God was accustomed to give ^a coin often as payment for the work. he forbids ^a woman from sweeping before his cell: But since, as has already been said, it was in the Saint's vows not to see ^a woman, one day when that same woman whom we mentioned was performing her accustomed task, the servant of God, fearing lest, going out of or entering his cell, the woman should meet him unexpectedly, forbade her with threats ever to attempt to return there again; and should she, making light of this word, transgress, she would be punished with ^a fitting penalty, as was just. She received this stern word sadly and returned home grieving -- but, as later became clear, more because she was cheated of her payment of money than from love of her customary obedience. Having returned home, therefore, after three days, making nothing of the Saint's command, she went back and importune thrust herself upon the man of God, and clamored excessively before his doors, demanding from him what she had been accustomed to receive as wages. Then the man of the Lord, bearing it with displeasure and at the same time reckoning that she could be recalled from her folly by no threats, expelled spittle from his holy mouth and lodged it in the woman's eye. She was immediately made blind by Divine decree, and returning home, she found all the residents of her house, on one side of the head -- the same side as hers -- blind. [he obtains that the contemptuous woman is divinely punished in one eye along with her household:] And, as is reported, even the beasts and the birds dwelling in that house were punished with this chastisement even to the present day: so that she who had transgressed the word of the man of God might feel the impending destruction -- both she herself and her whole house and kindred and all their possessions.

[21] But the blessed man Sorus, filled with the fragrance of all virtues, flourished devoted to Christ. For the natural weakness of the flesh was strengthened in him by the intimate fire of charity; and the feebleness of his bodily strength was consoled by the abundance of spiritual gifts, and at the same time by that Apostolic exhortation: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come, which shall be revealed in us." Rom. 8:18 Likewise: "Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." And: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him." Acts 14:21; 1 Cor. 2:9 These and other teachings of sacred Scripture, like spiritual salt, dried up in him the fleeting joys of the world and inflamed his heart toward things that endure forever. he comforts his own labors with the words of Scripture: This was his exercise, this was his continual struggle against the devil, until at length after the course of labor, the recompense for the work accomplished was presented by the Lord. While he was contending in these and similar contests, and leaving to the monastic communities that flocked to him from all sides the most invincible emulations of his virtues, the gate, inevitable for all mortals, of the end began to knock at his frail body, so that the soul beloved of God, long bound by chains, might at last, free from prison servitude, break the bonds of the flesh and run to meet its King, to be joyfully received into His joy.

[22] Having therefore called the Brothers together one day, he indicated that the dissolution of his body was imminent, and that he wished now to be dissolved and to be with Christ. he is seized by ^a fever: Thereupon, without delay, his body seized by ^a fever, his marrow was consumed by ^a natural fire, and the flow of blood through each of his limbs was drying up; yet the spirit of the flesh in its infirmity was rendered stronger by Divine vigor, and was more and more kindled to beseech the Lord's face, that he might be freed as quickly as possible from the vessel of the flesh once it was dissolved. At length, with his dissolution now near, he foretells his death: and the companies of monks standing around him and awaiting the outcome, he foretold to them his dissolution, which would happen shortly, and as his ability permitted, he admonished them to be mindful of him.

[23] Meanwhile, while all were astonished at these things and awaiting the end, behold, suddenly ^a great splendor, coming from the direction of the East, filled that entire chamber, and ^a fragrance of extraordinary sweetness filled the hearts of all, bathed in heavenly light and fragrance, he dies: and it was made clear at the end what manner of man the holy one had been in the course of life. And so he bade farewell to the Brothers and committed his heavenly spirit to heaven to be placed there. At his death there were present the holy men Amandus and Cyprianus, he is buried by SS. Cyprianus and Amandus: so that those who had shared one pursuit in life might have equal recompense and reward. Now that he had departed, who could express how great was the grief of those standing around, the sobbing of the anguished heart? How the magnitude of grief cut off speech in mid-word for those wishing to speak and striving to pray? At length, however, amid dire sighs and bitter tears, setting no limit to their grief, they performed the funeral rites for the sacred body, prepared ^a coffin with great care, and devoutly committed it to the earth in the basilica which he himself had formerly built in honor of the holy Martyr Julian.

[24] Which place our Lord Jesus Christ has been accustomed very frequently to ennoble with exhibitions of wondrous works, to demonstrate the favor He held for His servant. it is made illustrious by miracles: For neither does the brevity of this work permit, nor does the facility of the pen suffice to narrate how many blind persons received their sight at his tomb after his death, or how many lame or those held by any infirmity were restored to their former health, and demons driven from possessed bodies, and very many other benefits conferred on those who asked. All these are the praises of Your power; You, O Lord Father, wondrous in Your servants, work wondrously for the glory of Your name and for the praise of Your only-begotten Son our Redeemer: with whom and with the Holy Spirit You live and reign through immortal ages. Amen.